Cushioning mechanism



Feb. 13, 1934 I D. s. BARROWS CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 23. 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 13, 1934. D. s. BARROWS 1,946,476

CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 23, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q gwwz'ntozzwa/c/azamws a Patented Feb. 13, 1934 liirs STATES P AT *GFFIQECUSHIONING MECHANISM Application'December 23, 1929 Serial No. 416,114

- 10 Claims.

This invention relates to draft rigging and more particularly to springand friction draft gears particularly adapted for use on railwayvehicles.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is toprovide friction draft gears or cushioning mechanism especially adaptedfor railway service and formed with housing or casings so slotted thatthey are adapted to serve the double purpose of housing the mechanismand functioning as front followers, whereby the mechanism is adapted totake the place of a draft gear of standard size and a front follower.

. .Another object of my invention is to provide cushioning mechanisminvolving an enclosing barrel or housing divided by a partition into twocompartments with release springs in each compartment, said springsengaging an intermediate follower, which in turn fits notches in theinner ends of friction wedges urged apart by curved leaf springs andengaging inclined friction surfaces on the open end of the housing.

A further object of my invention is to provide a draft gear of standardsize with a slotted housing, whereby it is adapted to function as adraft gear and associated front follower, said gear being therebyadapted for use with standard cheek plates and a yoke shorter thanstandard by an amount corresponding to the length of the standardfollower and with a backstop with a projection corresponding to saidfollower length, or with a filler of corresponding length, or betweendraft sills in which the backstop is spaced a corresponding distanceforward.

A still further object of my invention is to provide cushioningmechanism involving a casing or housing with outwardly flaring frictionsurfaces and friction wedges with inclined surfaces engaging saidfriction surfaces and urged apart by curved leaf springs, said wedgeshaving slots between inwardly extending tails thereof and an interiorfollower plate of less width than said wedges passing through said slotsand normally engaged by release springs, the tails of said wedges oneither side of said plate being extended longitudinally of the gear toprovide adequate bearing surface against the housing on either side ofsaid interior follower, those portions of the housing providing theinclined friction surfaces having segmental notches for insertion andremoval of the release springs.

An additional object of my invention is to provide cushioning mechanisminvolving an enclosing barrel or casing with inclined friction surfacesnormally engaged by wedges urged apart by curved plate springs and withtheir inner ends engaging an intermediate follower, release springsdisposed between said intermediate follower and the closed end of thehousing, insertible through the'sides of the housing, and held in placeby bosses on the inner surfaceof the end wall of the housing and theadjacent surface of the intermediate follower.

Gther objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particulararrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparentas the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating ;my invention, the scope whereofis defined by the appended claims:

Figure l is a partial side elevation and partial vertical longitudinalsectional view of a form of draft. gear or cushioning mechanismembodying my invention, the associated coupler, yoke, backstop, rearfollower, and connecting key being diagrammatically illustrated.

Figure 2 is a'plan view of the gear shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial end elevation and partial transverse sectionalview on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View of the gear on the line 44 ofFigure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 1. t

Figure 6 is a partial side elevation andpartial vertical longitudinalsectional view of a geanand associated rear follower diagrammaticallyillus- 9Q trated, showing another embodiment of my inven- 1 tion.

Figure 7 is a plan of the gear shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a partial end elevation and partial transverse sectionalview on the line 8-8 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of thearrows.

igure 9 is a transverse sectional view on the line 99 of Figure 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawingsin detail, like parts being designated by likereference characters, and first considering the embodiment of myinvention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, there is shown adraft gear or cushioning mechanism I particularly adapted for use as afriction draft gear for railway vehicles and preferably designed so thatit will fit into a draft gear pocket of usual size. In the embodimentshown it is of a length corresponding with that of a standard size draftgear, so that it is receivable between sills normally spaced and adaptedto interchange with an ordinary form of draft gear.

In the embodiment shown the gear comprises a spring barrel or housing 2with one end closed and the other end formed with outwardly flaringwalls 4 providing inclined friction surfaces 5. Received between saidwalls i are wedge blocks 6 formed with correspondingly inclined frictionsurfaces '7 normally engaging the friction surfaces 5 on the housing orcasing 2. In order to interlock the wedge blocks 6 with the housing, thesame are formed with inner shouldered portions 8 which engagecorresponding shouldered portions 9 at the ends of the inclined surfaces5 on the housing, thereby preventing undesired withdrawal of said wedgeblocks. Disposed between said wedge blocks 6 for urging them apart andinto engagement with the inclined friction surfaces on the housing aretwo sets of curved plate or leaf springs 10, each set of which has itsconcave side preferably disposed toward the corresponding wedge block sothat the ends 11 thereof engage said wedge blocks and urge them intofrictional engagement with the inclined portions on the housing.

The inner ends of the wedge blocks 6 are bifurcated to provide inwardlyextending tails 12 having inclined friction surfaces 13 engagingcorrespondingly inclined friction surfaces 14 on the housing 2, and asillustrated particularly in Figure 1, preferably offset from theinclined friction surfaces 5, but extending at a correspondinginclination. The tails 12 of the wedge blocks provide notches 15therebetween receiving an intermediate follower 16 of less width thanthe normal width of said wedge blocks, as shown most clearly in Figure3, said follower engaging the wedge blocks on one side and preferablyhelical release springs 1'7 on the other side disposed between saidfollower and the end wall 18 of the housing. The intermediate follower16 and the associated release springs 17 are guided by inwardly curvingwall portions 19 partially surrounding the springs and withlongitudinalextensions 20 properly positioning the follower 16, the endsof which are correspondingly curved, as indicated at 21. The releasesprings 17 perform the additional function of holding the intermediatefollower 16 seated in the notched portions 15 of the wedges formaintaining the curved plate springs 10 in proper position. In order tofacilitate insertion and removal of the springs 17, those portions ofthe housing 2 on which are formed the inclined friction surfaces 5 arepreferably provided with segmental notches 22.

In order to adapt the housing 2 to function as a front follower for usewith standard Farlow two key draft rigging, the end thereof adjacent thewall 18 is preferably formed with a transverse normally horizontalpartition 23 provided with a horizontal slot 24 adapted to receive theusual front follower key 25 for connection with associated sills (notshown), said key, as will be understood, being received in slots 26 instandard cheek plates (not shown) and/or draft sills (not shown)allowing for rearward movement of the housing for the compression of themechanism, while holding said housing against forward movement so thatthe wedges may be forced thereinto by the associated rear follower 2'7and yoke 28 through its connection with the associated coupler 29connected to said yoke by the key 30. The outer edge portion of thepartition is desirably beveled or tapered, as illustrated in Fig. 1, tocooperate with the notches 22 and facilitate insertion and removal ofthe springs 17. A fragmentary portion of the backstop 31 is illustratedand, as will be understood, is normally in engagement with the yoke 28.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 6to 9 inclusive, a construction is there disclosed which is very similarto that of Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, except that the housing 2 which hasinclined walls 4 providing friction surfaces 5 for engagement withcorresponding surfaces 7 on wedges 6 has the top and bottom walls cutaway to provide openings 32 for receiving the release springs 17 fromthe sides, or top and bottom, of the housing, said springs being held inplace in the embodiment illustrated by lugs or spring plugs 33 on theinner side of the end wall 18 and corresponding lugs 34 on the innersurface of the intermediate follower 16. Because of the ability toremove and reinsert the springs 1'7 from the top and bottom of thehousing, there is no necessity for notching the inclined wall portions 4thereof, as in the previous embodiment. In the present embodiment, theintermediate follower 16 has its ends rectangular rather than curved, asindicated at 21 said ends, as in the previous embodiment, being receivedbetween the tails 12 of the wedges 6 in the notches 15" providedtherebetween. Except as specifically described in connection with thepresent embodiment, the same may correspond substantially with that ofthe previous embodiment.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised adraft gear of standard size with a slotted housing adapted to take theplace of a'draft gear and associated front follower for use with Farlowattachments. The rear follower shown may be either plain, asillustrated, or interlocked with the wedge ends, as will be understood.The interior follower plate is of less width than the Wedges and passesthrough rectangular slots between or in the tails of the wedges. Onaccount of the extension of the Wedge tails, an increased frictionalbearing surface is provided between the wedges and housing. In one ofthe embodiments, the release springs are removed from the open end ofthe housing through segmental notches in the inclined walls thereof,while in another form, they are insertable from the outside and held inplace by bosses on the end wall of the housing and inner face of theinterior follower. 0n account of the combination front follower andhousing employed, the gear is adapted for use with standard cheek platesand a yoke shorter than standard, by the length of the standard frontfollower, or eight inches. Assuming the follower length to be eightinches, the draft gear would be used with a backstop having an eightinch projection or with an eight inch filler between a normally spacedbackstop and the yoke, or with the backstop spaced eight inchesforwardly.

Although I have disclosed preferred embodiments of my invention, it willbe understood that the same are illustrative and not limiting and thatmodifications may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention asdefined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing, a

partition dividing said housing and disposed adjacent one end thereof,the other end of said housing being formed with outwardly flaringfriction surfaces, wedges engaging said surfaces, resilient meansdisposed between said wedges, an

intermediate follower engaging in notchesinthe 1 60 inner ends of saidwedges, and resilient means disposed between said follower and thehousing on opposite sides of said partition.

2. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing, one end of said housing being closed and the otherend formed with outwardly flaring friction surfaces, Wedges engagingsaid surfaces and formed with rectangular notches adjacent the innerends thereof, said wedges being extended on either side of said notchesto provide auxiliary friction surfaces for engagement with correspondingsurfaces on the housing, resilient means to hold said wedges inoperative engagement with said friction surfaces, an intermediatefollower received in the notches in said wedge plates, and releasesprings disposed between said follower and the closed end of saidhousing.

3. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing, a normally horizontal partition dividing saidhousing into upper and lower compartments, a release spring fitting ineach compartment, the walls of said compartments being curved to embracesaid springs and hold them in place, the other end of said housinghaving inwardly converging Walls providing friction surfaces terminating in shouldered portions, said shouldered portions having segmentalnotches cut therein, and the outer end of said partition being tapered,for the insertion and removal of said springs.

4. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing, a partition dividing said housing intotransversely disposed compartments and formed with a slot therethroughfor receiving a draft key adapted to connect said housing to anassociated car underframe, and a release spring fitting in eachcompartment, the walls of said compartment being curved to embrace saidsprings and hold them in place, the other end of said housing havinginwardly converging walls providing friction surfaces terminating inshouldered portions, said shouldered portions having notches therein,and the adjacent end portion of said partition being tapered, for theinsertion and removal of said springs.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing formed with outwardlyflaring friction surfaces, wedges engaging said surfaces, resilientmeans disposed between said wedges for urging them into engagement withsaid surfaces, the inner portions of said wedges being bifurcated toprovide notches, an intermediate follower received in said notches, andrelease springs normally engaging the inner surface of said follower.

6. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing, a partition dividing said housing into upper andlower compartments, said housing having outwardly flaring frictionsurfaces, wedges engaging said surfaces, resilient means disposedbetween said wedges, said wedges having their inner ends bifurcated toprovide notches, an intermediate follower received in said notches, andresilient means normally acting on said follower to efiect release ofthe mechanism, said means being received in the pockets provided by thepartition, said partition being slotted for receiving a draft member.

3 7. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinallyextending, walls, a transverse wall connecting said spaced walls, apartition extending longitudinally from said transverse wall spacedwalls, wall portions beyond said partition connecting corresponding sideedge portions of said spaced walls, presenting spaced inwardlyconverging friction surfaces and, in combination with the transverseWall and partition, serving to tie together said spaced Walls, leavingoutwardly opening pockets between said transverse wall and the frictionsurfaces, and on opposite sides of said partition, said partition havinga slot therethrough adapted to receive a connecting draft key, withslotted portions thereof extending laterally beyond the outer surfacesof said spaced walls to increase the key bearing area, wedge plates withfriction faces engaging the friction surfaces on the housing, resilientmeans disposed between said plates, and release springs disposed in saidpockets, engaging said transverse wall, and acting on said wedge platesfor effecting release of the mechanism. 1 l

8. A housing for cushioning mechanism formed with a pair of laterallyspaced longitudinally extending walls connected by a transverse wall anda partition extending longitudinally from said transverse wall, wallportions beyond said partition connecting corresponding side edgeportions of said spaced walls to further rigidify the construction andformed with inwardly diverging friction surfaces, leaving outwardlyopening pockets between said transverse wall and the wall portions andon opposite sides of said partition, said pockets being adapted toreceive release springs, and said partition terminating short of saidwall portions to allow for the reception and longitudinal movement of afollower engaged by the springs in said pockets and having a slottherethrough adapted to receive a connecting draft key.

9. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing having an open end formed with outwardly divergingfriction surfaces, wedges engaging said surfaces and having inner endportions bifurcated and extended inwardly on either side of said housingto provide auxiliary friction surfaces normally engaging correspondingsurfaces on said housing, resilient means normally holding said wedgesin operative engagement with said friction surfaces, and release springsacting on said wedges between the bifurcated portions thereof.

10. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft riggingcomprising a housing having an open end provided with relatively fixedinwardly converging friction surfaces, friction wedges with facesengaging the friction surfaces of the housing and connecting saidsurfaces, the inner ends of said wedges being notched, an intermediatefollower seated in said notched portions, and release springs engagingsaid follower and holding it in contact with said wedges for maintainingthe associated springs in proper position.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

